1 And the men H376 of Ephraim H669 said H559 unto him, Why hast thou H4100 served H6213 us thus, H1697 that thou calledst H7121 us not, when thou wentest H1980 to fight H3898 with the Midianites? H4080 And they did chide H7378 with him sharply. H2394
2 And he said H559 unto them, What have I done H6213 now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning H5955 of the grapes of Ephraim H669 better H2896 than the vintage H1210 of Abiezer? H44
3 God H430 hath delivered H5414 into your hands H3027 the princes H8269 of Midian, H4080 Oreb H6159 and Zeeb: H2062 and what was I able H3201 to do H6213 in comparison of you? Then their anger H7307 was abated H7503 toward him, when he had said H1697 that. H1696
4 And Gideon H1439 came H935 to Jordan, H3383 and passed over, H5674 he, and the three H7969 hundred H3967 men H376 that were with him, faint, H5889 yet pursuing H7291 them.
5 And he said H559 unto the men H582 of Succoth, H5523 Give, H5414 I pray you, loaves H3603 of bread H3899 unto the people H5971 that follow H7272 me; for they be faint, H5889 and I am pursuing H7291 after H310 Zebah H2078 and Zalmunna, H6759 kings H4428 of Midian. H4080
6 And the princes H8269 of Succoth H5523 said, H559 Are the hands H3709 of Zebah H2078 and Zalmunna H6759 now in thine hand, H3027 that we should give H5414 bread H3899 unto thine army? H6635
7 And Gideon H1439 said, H559 Therefore when the LORD H3068 hath delivered H5414 Zebah H2078 and Zalmunna H6759 into mine hand, H3027 then I will tear H1758 your flesh H1320 with the thorns H6975 of the wilderness H4057 and with briers. H1303
8 And he went up H5927 thence to Penuel, H6439 and spake H1696 unto them likewise: H2063 and the men H582 of Penuel H6439 answered H6030 him as the men H582 of Succoth H5523 had answered H6030 him.
9 And he spake H559 also unto the men H582 of Penuel, H6439 saying, H559 When I come again H7725 in peace, H7965 I will break down H5422 this tower. H4026
10 Now Zebah H2078 and Zalmunna H6759 were in Karkor, H7174 and their hosts H4264 with them, about fifteen H2568 H6240 thousand H505 men, all that were left H3498 of all the hosts H4264 of the children H1121 of the east: H6924 for there fell H5307 an hundred H3967 and twenty H6242 thousand H505 men H376 that drew H8025 sword. H2719
11 And Gideon H1439 went up H5927 by the way H1870 of them that dwelt H7931 in tents H168 on the east H6924 of Nobah H5025 and Jogbehah, H3011 and smote H5221 the host: H4264 for the host H4264 was secure. H983
12 And when Zebah H2078 and Zalmunna H6759 fled, H5127 he pursued H7291 after H310 them, and took H3920 the two H8147 kings H4428 of Midian, H4080 Zebah H2078 and Zalmunna, H6759 and discomfited H2729 all the host. H4264
13 And Gideon H1439 the son H1121 of Joash H3101 returned H7725 from battle H4421 before H4608 the sun H2775 was up,
14 And caught H3920 a young man H5288 of the men H582 of Succoth, H5523 and enquired H7592 of him: and he described H3789 unto him the princes H8269 of Succoth, H5523 and the elders H2205 thereof, even threescore and seventeen H7657 H7651 men. H376
15 And he came H935 unto the men H582 of Succoth, H5523 and said, H559 Behold Zebah H2078 and Zalmunna, H6759 with whom ye did upbraid H2778 me, saying, H559 Are the hands H3709 of Zebah H2078 and Zalmunna H6759 now in thine hand, H3027 that we should give H5414 bread H3899 unto thy men H582 that are weary? H3287
16 And he took H3947 the elders H2205 of the city, H5892 and thorns H6975 of the wilderness H4057 and briers, H1303 and with them he taught H3045 the men H582 of Succoth. H5523
17 And he beat down H5422 the tower H4026 of Penuel, H6439 and slew H2026 the men H582 of the city. H5892
18 Then said H559 he unto Zebah H2078 and Zalmunna, H6759 What H375 manner of men H582 were they whom ye slew H2026 at Tabor? H8396 And they answered, H559 As thou H3644 art, so were they; each one H259 resembled H8389 the children H1121 of a king. H4428
19 And he said, H559 They were my brethren, H251 even the sons H1121 of my mother: H517 as the LORD H3068 liveth, H2416 if H3863 ye had saved them alive, H2421 I would not slay H2026 you.
20 And he said H559 unto Jether H3500 his firstborn, H1060 Up, H6965 and slay H2026 them. But the youth H5288 drew H8025 not his sword: H2719 for he feared, H3372 because he was yet a youth. H5288
21 Then Zebah H2078 and Zalmunna H6759 said, H559 Rise H6965 thou, and fall H6293 upon us: for as the man H376 is, so is his strength. H1369 And Gideon H1439 arose, H6965 and slew H2026 Zebah H2078 and Zalmunna, H6759 and took away H3947 the ornaments H7720 that were on their camels' H1581 necks. H6677
22 Then the men H376 of Israel H3478 said H559 unto Gideon, H1439 Rule H4910 thou over us, both thou, and thy son, H1121 and thy son's H1121 son H1121 also: for thou hast delivered H3467 us from the hand H3027 of Midian. H4080
23 And Gideon H1439 said H559 unto them, I will not rule H4910 over you, neither shall my son H1121 rule H4910 over you: the LORD H3068 shall rule H4910 over you.
24 And Gideon H1439 said H559 unto them, I would desire H7592 a request H7596 of you, that ye would give H5414 me every man H376 the earrings H5141 of his prey. H7998 (For they had golden H2091 earrings, H5141 because they were Ishmaelites.) H3459
25 And they answered, H559 We will willingly H5414 give H5414 them. And they spread H6566 a garment, H8071 and did cast H7993 therein every man H376 the earrings H5141 of his prey. H7998
26 And the weight H4948 of the golden H2091 earrings H5141 that he requested H7592 was a thousand H505 and seven H7651 hundred H3967 shekels of gold; H2091 beside ornaments, H7720 and collars, H5188 and purple H713 raiment H899 that was on the kings H4428 of Midian, H4080 and beside the chains H6060 that were about their camels' H1581 necks. H6677
27 And Gideon H1439 made H6213 an ephod H646 thereof, and put H3322 it in his city, H5892 even in Ophrah: H6084 and all Israel H3478 went thither a whoring H2181 after H310 it: which thing became a snare H4170 unto Gideon, H1439 and to his house. H1004
28 Thus was Midian H4080 subdued H3665 before H6440 the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 so that they lifted up H5375 their heads H7218 no more. H3254 And the country H776 was in quietness H8252 forty H705 years H8141 in the days H3117 of Gideon. H1439
29 And Jerubbaal H3378 the son H1121 of Joash H3101 went H3212 and dwelt H3427 in his own house. H1004
30 And Gideon H1439 had threescore and ten H7657 sons H1121 of his body H3409 begotten: H3318 for he had many H7227 wives. H802
31 And his concubine H6370 that was in Shechem, H7927 she also bare H3205 him a son, H1121 whose name H8034 he called H7760 Abimelech. H40
32 And Gideon H1439 the son H1121 of Joash H3101 died H4191 in a good H2896 old age, H7872 and was buried H6912 in the sepulchre H6913 of Joash H3101 his father, H1 in Ophrah H6084 of the Abiezrites. H33
33 And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon H1439 was dead, H4191 that the children H1121 of Israel H3478 turned again, H7725 and went a whoring H2181 after H310 Baalim, H1168 and made H7760 Baalberith H1170 their god. H430
34 And the children H1121 of Israel H3478 remembered H2142 not the LORD H3068 their God, H430 who had delivered H5337 them out of the hands H3027 of all their enemies H341 on every side: H5439
35 Neither shewed H6213 they kindness H2617 to the house H1004 of Jerubbaal, H3378 namely, Gideon, H1439 according to all the goodness H2896 which he had shewed H6213 unto Israel. H3478
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Judges 8
Commentary on Judges 8 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 8
Jud 8:1-9. The Ephraimites Offended, but Pacified.
1. the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus?—Where this complaint was made, whether before or after the crossing of the Jordan, cannot be determined. By the overthrow of the national enemy, the Ephraimites were benefited as largely as any of the other neighboring tribes. But, piqued at not having been sharers in the glory of the victory, their leading men could not repress their wounded pride; and the occasion only served to bring out an old and deep-seated feeling of jealous rivalry that subsisted between the tribes (Isa 9:21). The discontent was groundless, for Gideon acted according to divine directions. Besides, as their tribe was conterminous with that of Gideon, they might, had they been really fired with the flame of patriotic zeal, have volunteered their services in a movement against the common enemy.
2, 3. he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you?—His mild and truly modest answer breathes the spirit of a great as well as good man, who was calm, collected, and self-possessed in the midst of most exciting scenes. It succeeded in throwing oil on the troubled waters (Pr 16:1), and no wonder, for in the height of generous self-denial, it ascribes to his querulous brethren a greater share of merit and glory than belonged to himself (1Co 13:4; Php 2:3).
4. Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over—much exhausted, but eager to continue the pursuit till the victory was consummated.
5. he said unto the men of Succoth—that is, a place of tents or booths. The name seems to have been applied to the whole part of the Jordan valley on the west, as well as on the east side of the river, all belonging to the tribe of Gad (compare Ge 33:17; 1Ki 7:46; with Jos 13:27). Being engaged in the common cause of all Israel, he had a right to expect support and encouragement from his countrymen everywhere.
6. the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand—an insolent as well as a time-serving reply. It was insolent because it implied a bitter taunt that Gideon was counting with confidence on a victory which they believed he would not gain; and it was time-serving, because living in the near neighborhood of the Midianite sheiks, they dreaded the future vengeance of those roving chiefs. This contumelious manner of acting was heartless and disgraceful in people who were of Israelitish blood.
7. I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers—a cruel torture, to which captives were often subjected in ancient times, by having thorns and briers placed on their naked bodies and pressed down by sledges, or heavy implements of husbandry being dragged over them.
8. he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise—a neighboring city, situated also in the territory of Gad, near the Jabbok, and honored with this name by Jacob (Ge 32:30, 31).
9. he spake …, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower—Intent on the pursuit, and afraid of losing time, he postponed the merited vengeance till his return. His confident anticipation of a triumphant return evinces the strength of his faith; and his specific threat was probably provoked by some proud and presumptuous boast, that in their lofty watchtower the Penuelites would set him at defiance.
Jud 8:10-27. Zebah and Zalmunna Taken.
10. Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor—a town on the eastern confines of Gad. The wreck of the Midianite army halted there.
11. Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east—He tracked the fugitives across the mountain range of Gilead to the northeast of the Jabbok, and there came upon them unexpectedly while they were resting secure among their own nomadic tribes. Jogbehah is supposed to be Ramoth-gilead; and, therefore, the Midianites must have found refuge at or near Abela, "Abel-cheramim," "the plain of the vineyards."
12. when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them—A third conflict took place. His arrival at their last quarters, which was by an unwonted path, took the fugitives by surprise, and the conquest of the Midianite horde was there completed.
13. Gideon returned from battle before the sun was up—He seems to have returned by a nearer route to Succoth, for what is rendered in our version "before the sun was up," means "the heights of Heres, the sun-hills."
14. he described—wrote the names of the seventy princes or elders. It was from them he had received so inhospitable a treatment.
16. he took … the thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth—By refusing his soldiers refreshment, they had committed a public crime, as well as an act of inhumanity, and were subjected to a horrible punishment, which the great abundance and remarkable size of the thorn bushes, together with the thinness of clothing in the East, has probably suggested.
18. Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor?—This was one of the countless atrocities which the Midianite chiefs had perpetrated during their seven years' lawless occupancy. It is noticed now for the first time when their fate was about to be determined.
each one resembled the children of a king—An Orientalism for great beauty, majesty of appearance, uncommon strength, and grandeur of form.
19. They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother—That is, uterine brothers; but, in all countries where polygamy prevails, "the son of my mother" implies a closeness of relationship and a warmth of affection never awakened by the looser term, "brother."
20. he said unto Jether his first-born, Up, and slay them—The nearest of kin was the blood-avenger; but a magistrate might order any one to do the work of the executioner; and the person selected was always of a rank equal or proportioned to that of the party doomed to suffer (1Ki 2:29). Gideon intended, then, by the order to Jether, to put an honor on his son, by employing him to slay two enemies of his country; and on the youth declining, he performed the bloody deed himself.
22, 23. the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us … Gideon said unto them, the Lord shall rule over you—Their unbounded admiration and gratitude prompted them, in the enthusiasm of the moment, to raise their deliverer to a throne, and to establish a royal dynasty in his house. But Gideon knew too well, and revered too piously the principles of the theocracy, to entertain the proposal for a moment. Personal and family ambition was cheerfully sacrificed to a sense of duty, and every worldly motive was kept in check by a supreme regard to the divine honor. He would willingly act as judge, but the Lord alone was King of Israel.
24-26. Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you—This was the contribution of an earring (singular). As the ancient Arabians (Ishmaelites and Midianites being synonymous terms, Ge 37:25, 28) were gorgeously adorned with barbaric pearl and gold, an immense amount of such valuable booty had fallen into the hands of the Israelitish soldiers. The contribution was liberally made, and the quantity of gold given to him is estimated at £3113 sterling.
26. ornaments—crescent-like plates of gold suspended from the necks, or placed on the breasts of the camels.
collars—rather, "earrings," or drops of gold or pearl.
purple—a royal color. The ancient, as well as modern Arabs, adorned the necks, breasts, and legs, of their riding animals with sumptuous housing.
27. Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, … Ophrah—That no idolatrous use was in view, nor any divisive course from Shiloh contemplated, is manifest from Jud 8:33. Gideon proposed, with the gold he received, to make an ephod for his use only as a civil magistrate or ruler, as David did (1Ch 15:27), and a magnificent pectoral or breastplate also. It would seem, from the history, that he was not blamable in making this ephod, as a civil robe or ornament merely, but that it afterward became an object to which religious ideas were attached; whereby it proved a snare, and consequently an evil, by perversion, to Gideon and his house [Taylor, Fragments].
Jud 8:28. Midian Subdued.
28. Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel—This invasion of the Arab hordes into Canaan was as alarming and desolating as the irruption of the Huns into Europe. It was the severest scourge ever inflicted upon Israel; and both it and the deliverance under Gideon lived for centuries in the minds of the people (Ps 83:11).